United Utilities Water & Moorcroft

[FU-UU]

Right bit of a long story cut fairly short here. I owe UUW £488, i don't dispute that but due to circumstances couldn't afford the weekly payments so they set Moorcroft on to me. Managed to get rid of Moorcroft because they broke OFT guidelines but as a parting shot they instructed UUW that i would be willing to let them take it from my benefits.

How do i know this! Today i had a letter from UUW & the DWP saying they are going to take £20's a week off my benefits 'til next April and then £8's a week until it's clear.

There's absolutely no way i can afford £20 a week as i have 2 young children. The DWP letter states that i can't stop this payment.

How can this have been done without my consent or a court order?

[mrsfoot]

Hi FU

Click on this link, it will take you to the UUW trust fund page where you can apply for a grant (non repayable). If you are successful they will clear the outstanding balance and no payments will be taken from your benefits. You need to complete a form giving reasons why you cant afford the payments. Out of the 20 or so cases I have advised on all of them have been successful and now have no debt with UUW. You can also apply for grants to clear all other utilities eg elec / gas but again you have to show you cannot afford to pay the debt off. You will have to explain how you will keep up future payments. If you need a hand completing the form let me know

****Utilities Trust Fund****

[FU-UU]

Cheers mrsfoot. Had a hard time working out pages 5 & 6 but i think i've got there in the end. Thanks once again.

Is it normal for United Utilities to apply to the DWP to have direct payments taken from my benefits without consent?

[Twinkly]

If you have not made any written statement giving permission to take it straight out of your benefit then its a blatant lie and I would certainly dispute it.

Not sure if this applies to you but according to:
Problems paying your water bill when you are on benefit?

"Rules are in place to make sure that payments taken do not exceed a specified proportion of your benefit income."

Personally I would make full complaint to Ofwat at the handling of your account. Good luck

[FU-UU]

Well mrsfoot no joy here i'm afraid

Got a letter from the trust fund today and they won't be helping me

Plan B, sue Moorcroft for false representation (as soon as the FOS finish there investigation).

[mrsfoot]

FU UU sorry I have only just see your reply. Have you ever worked? What about parents? There are many trust funds out there that will help you if you worked in certain professions...eg there is a hairdressers trust fund. Some also help if your parents worked for them. If so there are other trust funds available. Have a look at the sticky re trust funds following this link http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...tricity-water/
Hope this helps and is not too late